²³ A wise heart instructs its mouth
and increases learning with its speech.^[a](A)

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb:^(B)
sweet to the taste^[b] and health to the body.^[c](C)

²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.^(A)

⁵ The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,^(A)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.^(B)

⁷ Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

⁹ Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,^(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.^(B)

²⁷ The intelligent person restrains his words,^(A)
and one who keeps a cool head^[a]
is a man of understanding.

²⁸ Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.^(B)

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,^(A)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.^[a]

¹³ The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.^(A)

¹⁷ The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.^(A)